Method of packing flexible recording belts



Sept. 6, 1949. c. L. BOSSMEYER 2,431,285

METHOD OF PACKING FLEXIBLE RECORDING BELTS Filed Sept. 20. 1944 INVENTOR /0 l4 Char Z66 L. Bossme er BY v @jM b, 011? 4 4 31 Patented Sept. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF PACKING FLEXIBLE RECORDING BELTS Application September 20, 1944, Serial N 0. 555,031

2 Claims. (Cl. 226-14) This invention relates to a method of packing flexible phonograph recording belts.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a method of packing recording belts which is simple, thoroughly practical, and eificient in use. Another object is to provide a method of the above character through the use of which recording belts may be quickly and easily packed. Another object is to provide a method of the above character which protects the belts against damage during shipment. A further object is to provide a new and improved method in packing flexible recording belts. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists, in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, all as will be illustratively described herein and the scope of the application which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton partially packed with flexible recording belts;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a flexible recording belt; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of Figure 1 diagrammatically showing a series of groups of belts packed in a carton.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

This invention relates to the packing of flexible recording belts for phonographs, such as the flexible recording belt shown and described in Patent No. 2,318,828 for a phonograph, which was issued to Yerkovich On May 11, 1943. As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it might here be pointed out that this type of recording belt is made of film material and in use a recording is made on its surface by a stylus. The recording belts are of the endless type and the film material is thin so that if the belt is rested on a flat surface, it assumes a flattened state. When it is in this condition if pressure is applied to the belt, sharp folds result which may interfere with the use of the belt in recording as a sharp fold may cause the stylus to jump, thus resulting in inaccurate recording. These belts are necessarily the recording stylus, and accordingly in handling these belts, it is also important that they be protected from scratches. Thus, it is another object of this invention to provide a method of packing recording belts which will prevent their being scratched or having sharp folds formed in their surfaces during shipment.

The recording belts are preferably packed for shipment in a carton, generally indicated at l0. This carton includes a bottom, two end walls and side Walls, and its depth is slightly greater than the width of the recording belt I I (Figure 2). Before being placed in the carton I 0, the belts are nested so that they are telescoped with respect to each other. Preferably the belts are nested in groups or units of approximately twenty to a group or unit. When the belts are nested and in a flattened state, the belts coact to support each other so that the loops of a group of belts such as loops I 2 and I3 (Figure 3) of belts I4 have suflicient strength to resist the creasing effect of the pressures applied to the loops during shipment.

Referring to Figure 3, group I4 is vertically positioned in carton l0 adjacent one of the end Walls with one of its looped ends in contact with side wall "la. The loop at the other end of group I4 is spaced a substantial distance from the opposite side wall Hlb. This last-mentioned distance is suflicient to receive the looped end portion of another group of nested belts, such as end portion iii of the group of nested belts, generally indicated at l5. It will be noted that when group I 5 is placed in the carton, it is in staggered relationship with respect to group I4 so that its loop I 1 is positioned in the central portion of group It. When the next group of nested belts, generally indicated at l 8, is placed in the carton, the looped end portion 1 9 thereof is positioned in the central portion of group I5 and the loop portion 20 of group I8 is positioned adjacent side wall Illa.

This method of packing is continued until the carton is filled, each group of belts being in staggered relationship with respect to the groups adjacent it, as shown in Figure 1. When the carton is filled, it will be noted that the groups of belts therein are in interlocked relationship with respect to each other so they cannot move transversely of the carton, each group acting through its loops to hold the groups next to it in position. Furthermore, the belts, because of their flexible character and the manner in Which they are nested and packed, act as cushions with respect to each other so they absorb shocks made of a material which may be readily cut by transmitted from the c rton to them uring nested in groups and the groups are packed in interlocked relationship with respect to each other which prevents movement of the belts with respect to each other, during handling and shipment. Furthermore, a maximum of belts may be packed within a given space which results in reducing the amount of space occupied in a carton by a given number of belts. Thus an efiicient and practical method of packing recording belts has been disclosed.

As the art herein described might be varied in; various parts,. all without. departing from the scope: of: the: invention; it is to be understood that alL matter hereinhefore set forth or shown imtlre: accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as: illustrative and not in a. limiting sense.

Ifclaiim:

1. A method of packing. endless flexible phonograph. recording: belts: including the steps of: forming, groups of. belts into individual nests of belts each nest having looped end portions with intermediate side portions extending between t-he;loopedi end: portions, providing a belt eontainer of: width greater than the end-to-end length. (115 one belt: nest: and. less than the endto-endlength of two belt nests, and placing belt nests: in: the. corrtainerin: generally parallel partially' overlapping disposition with the looped end pontions of: each: nest? offset with respect to the looped end portions of; the next nest and with one: end portion; of alternate nests positioned adliacent one: sidewall of: the. container and" the 40 Number.

opposite end portion of the intervening nests positioned adjacent the other side wall of the container, whereby each nest is disposed with one of its looped end portions against a side wall of the container and its other looped end portion positioned in the central portion of the next nest.

2. A method 0t packing endless-:fiexible phonograph recording belts including the steps of: forming a plurality of nested belt units of about twenty beltsv per unit each having looped end portions with intermediate side portions extending between the looped end portions, providing a-belt container: of! width greater than the endto-endlength of a belt unit by an amount at REFERENCES. CITED I he following references are of record: in the file of" this patent:

UNITED STATES PATIENTS Name Date Mill's; July 5, 1921 Eecherd. Aug. 9; I921 Hill: Oct. 10;.1922 Baldenhofer' July 29; 1930 FQR'EIGN PATENTS Country Date (Zrermany. S,ept..23;. 1930 Number. 

